Four big winners on Trade Deadline Day

For the most part, the rush to the buzzer of Trade Deadline provided for much in the transit of the depth player and none for the most part in the blockbuster category on the day.

The roll out of the trades actually began before even TSN and Sportsnet could turn on the coffee maker, with two deals cobbled together in the overnight period, added to the 22 of Deadline Day coverage the 2nd of March featured 24 transactions in total.

The most active of the group on the day the Anaheim Ducks, who added five players to their roster with James Wisniewski the marquee get, adding a valuable piece for the Ducks as they make ready for the Western Conference battles to come.

GM Bob Murray, a student of the road that is required to navigate out of the West, made some solid moves to give his squad every opportunity to have a deep playoff run, perhaps all the way to June.

For the most part, the Ducks did the best job on Trading Day of filling in some holes and setting up some solid depth for the playoff marathon that they hope to be a participating in.

Ducks wheel and deal for defensmen Wisniewski, Despres, Holzer
Even with new faces, Ducks still flying high

Detroit was fairly quiet on Monday, in fact the Wings only made one on deadline day, but it was an important addition on the blue line, with Marek Zidlicky sliding into the D spot, putting an end to the heated commentary that Dion Phaneuf would soon be on his way to the Motor City.

Ken Holland, the architect of the Red Wings  also added Erik Cole on Sunday, another solid acquisition with Cole's style of play sure to be a good fit with the high energy Red Wings.

Cole's size, speed fill gap for Wings
Red Wings smart not going bold at deadline

Montreal was another team that made some astute additions, while giving up little on the day, keeping a high flying unit together, a group that no doubts hopes to make the push deep into the playoffs.  Marc Bergevin quietly identified the areas where he wanted to make moves at, in particular addressing his needs on the blue line, while putting in some additional help on the forward lines.

Bergevin adds three pieces to Canadiens puzzle
Newest Canadiens relish run for Stanley Cup

One more team rounds out the four big winners that we've tagged for a successful day at the Deadline phone banks, and for the Winnipeg Jets, the Deadline Day sweepstakes were won back on February 11th when Kevin Chevaldayoff made the biggest splash of all, by sending Evander Kane to Buffalo picking up Tyler Meers and Drew Stafford, as well as keeping two prospects and pick in his pocket for the upcoming draft.

It solved a number of issues for the Jets, a team that is starting to find its skates as the season winds down, the distraction of the Kane issues now far behind them, Chevaldayoff has given the nod of confidence in his core group, leaving it up to them now to make the next step in the Jets blue print.

It was an impressive move in February and nothing that took place on Monday overshadowed the Jets decision making. As we move into March, the Jets are hanging tough in the Wild Card race, should they continue on towards the playoffs, the moves from their GM will be of some note for those looking to build a contender with a trade deadline clock running loud.

Maligned Chevy has been right all along
Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Chevaldayoff has done his part ... it's up to the players now

For our snapshots of the day as the deadline move on see our Trade Day Coverage here.

The Full List of Trades for 2014-15 can be found on our Trading Post feature here.